Filling mechanism and method



Feb 1934- E. B. THOMAS FILLING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed Aug. 7, 1926 6Sheets-Sheet 2 Ina/enigm- ErroZdB. Thom,

1934- E. B. THOMAS FILLING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed Aug. 7, 1926 6Sheets-Sheet 3 luveniow' E vir'old 1?. Tie/0mg, y M, E 7- W flZZg s.

Feb. 6, 1934. E. B. THOMAS FILLING MECHANISM AND METHOD Filed Aug. 7,1926 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 DP wm m, wmL m 4 L Q K M 8 R .8 WW x mm v V iilys.

6 Sheets-Sheet 5 fi'i roldfl. 1720841128, by 7 M E. B. THOMAS FILLINGMECHANISM AND METHOD Flled Aug 7, 1926 Feb. 6, 1934.

Feb. 6, 1934. E 5 THQMAs 1,946,298 7 FILLING MECHANISM AND METHOD FiledAug. 7', 1.926 s Sheets-Sheet e hatentecl Feb. 6,- 1934 release FILLINGMechanism tit-tires- Errold B. Thomas; Newton, Mass; Application August7, 19 26. serial No'. 127,965 rtoia'ims. (01123 My invention aims toprovide novel and improved mechanism for and methods of assemblingfilling material with a flexible tubular or substantially tubularenvelope or casing, it being particularly applicable to the manufactureof surgical dressings, sanitary napkins, and the like.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating by Way of example oneembodiment of my invention, and showing one means for practicing themethods thereof:-

Fig. 1 is a side elevation, with certain portions vertical section, of amechanism embodying a form or". my invention, the several parts being intheir inactive or starting positions;

Fig. 2- is a vertical transverse section on the line 2--Z of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a like section on the line 3-3 of Fig. l;

l is a view partly in plan and partly in horizontal section upon theline 4- of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse section on the line 5--5 of 1, lookingin the direction 01 the arrows;

Figs. 6 and 7 are detail sectional views upon a larger scale takenrespectively on the line 6-6 of 5 and "!'i of Fig. 6;

8 is a vertical sectional view on the line of Fig. 1, looking toward theleft in said figure;

Figs. 9 and l!) are longitudinal vertical sections taken substantiallycentrally through the mechanism at the upper right hand portion of Fig.1 and illustrating two positions of the parts;

Fig. 11 is a vertical section, partly diagrammatic, on the line 11-l1 ofFig. 1;

Fig. 12 is a vertical sectional view on a larger scale taken on the line12l2 of Fig. 16;

Figs. l3, l4, l5 and 16 are partially diagrammatic plan viewsillustrating successive positions of the filling receiving andenvelope-engaging elements, and associated parts;

Figs. 1?- and 18 are detail views in horizontal and vertical sectionrespectively and upon a larger scale, of certain of the parts appearingin Figs. 1.3 to 16, 18 being taken on the line 13-18 of Fig. 16.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and first to Figs. 1and 2, the illustrative form of mechanism there shown includes asuitable frame herein comprising the platform or table 1 and thesupports 2, 2, etc. At or near one end of the machine, the left in Fig.1, is a supply of flexible casing material 3 which, in the presentinstance, is a tubular or substantially tubular gauze or other fabriccasing or envelope of indefinite length suitably supported in'positiontobe drawn upon, herein inroll' form rotatably mounted at 4 upon a bracket5. In connection with the manufacture of sanitary napkins, bandagingmaterials, and the like, for which use the disclosed mechanism isparticularly adapted, said casing or envelope is desirably formed of atubular or substantially tubular gauze-like and preferably woven fabric,and While, merely for convenience in description, I will hereinafter attimes refer to such casing or envelope'as the gauze, it will beunderstood that any substantially closed or closable filling-receivingelement of any suitable form or material may be employed.

The filling as shown consists of amass of material capable of formationinto filling units, fillers, packages, or pads 6; see Figs. 12 and 13 to16. Where the mechanism is to be used in the manufacture of hospitaldressings, sanitary napkins and the like said filling preferablyconsists of packages, of the desired dimensions, generally elongated, ofabsorbent material, such as natural or artificial absorbent cotton,cellulose cotton, or the like. As illustrated, said packages or pads 6include a plurality of superposed layers of cellulosic material, and maybe moisture-proofed on one surface, desirably as disclosed and claimedbroadly in my Patent #1,56l,498, dated December 8, 1925. Said fillingmaterial may be supplied in any suitable manner, as in sheets or stripsfor division or formation at the machine into packages or units forpresentation to the casing. As herein illustrated a supply of suchpackages or pads is provided at a suitable position upon the machine,where they are stacked, in the present instance, in a magazine or hopper'7 in which they feed downwardly by gravity, means such as the weight 8being provided, if necessary, to insure proper feeding. 95

Referring still to Fig. 1, the free end of the casing or envelope 3 isdrawn out from the supply, desirably past suitable rolls on a stand 9,whereby suificient resistance is applied, as by the floating roll 10, toassist in keeping the casing substantially taut and preventing back lashthereof. As shown, said casing passes down and then upwardly around thefirst of the pair of rolls 11, between it and said floating roll 10,over the latter, and down between said floating roll and the second roll11 To that point the casing or gauze is in closed or flattenedcondition. Suitable means is provided for opening or forming and holdingopen the free end of said gauze which, as stated, is

tubular or substantially tubular in cross section. Accordingly I haveshown an opener, former, or spreader element 12 of general duck billshape, seen upon a larger scale in 18, and also in Figs. 1, 5 and 13 to1'7. Said opener means comprises a tapered block of substantially thelongitudinal sectional contour shown in said Fig. 13. As illustratedsaid opener is freely supported, having no positive connection withother portions of the mechanism, permitting the casing to surround itcompletely and to be drawn over and past it, suitable means beingprovided at times to support said opener exteriorly of or through thecasing and at other times wholly interiorly of or within the peripheryof the open casing.

With the parts positioned as in Fig. 1, said opener 12 is releasablyheld by a pair of opposed gripping elements best seen in Fig. 5, andalso in plan in Figs. 13 to 16. Each such element coinprises a gri peror jaw 13 having a boss 14 pivoted upon a stud 15 on a bracket 16 (seeFig. l). The upper and gripping portions of said jaws are recessed attheir inner face, as at 17, 17, for the reception of the casing orgauze-engaging elements later to be described, and accordingly said jawsengage the opener 12 at vertically spaced points, their engagingportions conforming to the shape or" the opener so as to hold the samesubstantially in the horizontal position indicated in Fig.5.

Said grippers 13, 13 are normally held in opener-supporting position, asshown in Fig. 5, bysuitable means, preferably positive in operation.Herein I have provided for the purpose a spreader or wedge 18 betweenthe opposed fingers 19, 19 depending from the respective grippers, andwhich are yieldably compressed by the spring 20. Said spreader 18 isreciprocable in a guide 21 toward and away from the jaw pivot so. as tospread or permit closing together of said fingers, thereby to open orclose the gripper jaws at the proper times to release or reengage theopener 12. For actuating said spreader I provide herein a link 22pivoted thereto at 23, said link having at its lower end, see Fig. l, acam roll 24 cooperating with a cam 25 on the main drive shaft 26. Thelatter extends longitudinally of the machine and has suitable bearingsin the end supports 2, 2, if desired, in one or more intermediatestands. A spring 27 connected at its opposite ends to said link and to astationary part of the machine holds the cam roll and cam in properengagement. Power may be applied to said main shaft in any suitablemanner, as by the pulley 28, at the right in Fig. 1.

When the machine is to be placed in operation, the operator draws thefree end of the casing or gauze supply over the opener 12, up to itsinner or rear edge, where it will be held by the grippers 13, as shownin Figs. 1 and 13, in readiness to receive the filling material. Ifdesired, suitable manual or foot controllable means may be provided,preferably associated with the spreader 18, for opening or holding opensaid grippers, as during said setting-up operation.

The filling material is presented by suitable means for reception in thecasing or gauze. Herein I employ a reciprocable filling-receivingelemerit, slide, or tray 30, mounted for movement toward and away fromthe casing supply. EX- tending longitudinally of the table 1 is a pairof rails 31, Figs. 1, 2 and 3, upon which said tray is slidable,cooperating longitudinal rib and groove or like guide formations beingprovided on said tray and rails, as indicated in Fig. 3.

In Fig. 1 the filling-receiving tray is in its rearward or normal,inactive position, that is, at the right in said figure. As the firststep in the sequence of operations said tray is moved forwardly, towardthe left in Fig. 1, into the position shown in Fig. 13. Said tray hasformed at its forward or free end a tongue 32 adapted to project into arecess 33 formed in the opener 12 (see particularly Fig. 18) whereby thelatter will be supported interiorly of or within the periphery of theopen casing when the grippers 13 are released.

The tray is actuated in any suitable manner, herein by earn and leverconnections with the main shaft 26. Referring to Fig. 1, said shaftcarries near one end, at the right in said figure, a cylinder cam 35having a peripheral cam path 36 and cooperating cam roll 37. Said trayhas connected to it at 38, Fig. 3, a link 39, seen in Fig. 1, which inturn is pivoted at 40 to the upper end of a lever 41 (see also Fig. 2)having a forked lower end rockable on a stud l2 projecting from a collar43 loose upon but supportedby the main shaft 26. Said lever 41 isoperatively connected with said cam roll 37 as by means of the slide 44(see also Fig. 4) moving in guides 15, 45 on a shelf 46 extendingcrosswise the machine between the intermediate uprights or supports 2,2. Said cam roll 37 is carried by said slide, which latter is providedat its opposite or inner end with a connecting pin 48 received in slots49 in the forked portion of the lever 41. Through said connectionsmotion is transmitted positively from the cam to the tray to move thelatter forward and back at the desired times.

Said filling-receiving tray 30 includes a rear portion, seen in sectionin Figs. 3, 9 and 10, for cooperation with the rails 31, 31 and aforward portion or tray proper including side walls 59, 50 spaced tocorrespond to the width of the filling mass, package or pad to behandled. When the tray has gone forward the latter is automaticallyplaced in it at the desired position, as by the mechanism best seen inFig. 2.

Referring to the upper portion of said Fig. 2, a pad-inserting member orpusher 51 is mounted for movement transversely of the hopper 7 so as toengage the lowermost pad of the stack and transfer it to the waitingtray 30. As shown in said figure, a pad has just been positioned andsaid pusher 51 is still in its advanced position, that is, toward theright in said figure. Said pusher or filling-positioning member isslidable across the hopper fioor 52 outwardly, to the left, sumcientlyto permit the stack of pads to drop onto said floor. The latter isprovided with a slot 53 through which projects a lug 54 depending fromthe pusher 51 and pivoted to a link 55 in turn pivotally connected at asto the upper end of a lever 5'7 rockable at 58 on a bracket 59 securedto the machine frame. At its lower end said lever 57 carries a cam roll60 cooperating with a cam 61 on the drive shaft 26. Said cam preferablyhas a relatively steep rise portion giving a quick, positive movement tothe filling-presenting member. Said cam roll 60 is held in engagementwith its cam as by means of the spring 62 secured at one end to saidbracket 59 and at its opposite end to an arm 63 projecting laterallyfrom the lever.

As the filling material is generally of extremely light weight Idesirably provide means to insure the proper seating of a unit, packageor pad thereof in the tray. For this purpose I have shown a depressorelement, also best seen in Fig. 2. It

includes a plate or foot 64, having a width approximately that of thetray between its side walls 50, 5c, and vertically movable to press thepad well down into the tray. Said depressor is carried by a gooseneck seured to the upper end of a litter red 66 vertically reciprooahle in apost 6'7 on the machine platform. Said lifter rod and attached depresserplate are also preferably operated from the ma n drive shaft anysuitable connections, such as the lever 68 connected at its upper end tosaid rod -58 and slotted at an intermediate portion, as at 69 to stradle the rive shaft and having at its lower end a cam roll to makingcontact with a earn '31 fast on said shaft. The depressor so, rod (it,and lever c8 are normally held in r ised position as by the coil spring'2 interniedi to the upper face of p st ?3 n In some instances 5-. id eser crate directly upc e pad but 11 t trated l have provided a pad ocv rp at the time the pad is to be depi pad between it and the depressor, wonto said cover plate. The latter i movement forward and back with thepa has also an up and dew movement r the tray so that it may he liftedto provi space between it and he tray for th ins a pad iron the Said pad00 and operating mechanism seen in Fig. l in more detail in Figs. 9 to12.

Referring to said figures, said cover element comprises the elongated tio plate '75, separately from the tray a: loriitudinally spaced points ontray are posts 7'3, 77 ranged pairs opposite oi the cover (n e r,

plate A pin '78, i8 is journal saic posts each having at it cell cranks7 T9. b there four the illustra or aid the left in at the upper or" oneof a 3 8i to upper ce ate '7', and arranged similarly to J on the tray.Said t pair and on the er plate have their other or onnected thepaialle;

the posts cranks 7t- 82. The de ed ornections constitute a tern paracagesuch that vertical incingiven to the forwar or left hand arr-as o J,

one pair of cell or will communicated other pair, whereby the coverplate fted in horizontal position out of Y gagement "th the tray 30, asshown in Fig. it, oallowed 0 move down into engagement w in he tray 36moves forward, tho s to the left in the figures, in readiness to receivea mas" I" filling material, the cover plate 75,

ne ted to it throu h p s and li th the tray.

on z-r- 2 co 1e described will travel some time prior to the or thecover plate opposite the hopper 7 is lifted away tray oy suit-ableautoinatic mean-s, best seen in Figs. 1, 9, 1c and In said figures Ihave shown a of tracks at opposite sides of the tray and cover plate andsupported from the machine table in any 5 table manner, as the so, 3 Thepivotal connection so for the forward or t hand arms of the forward pairhell cranes '29, 79 eoinpris s a cross projeoting laterally beyond saidhell cranks having at its opposite ends the rolls 3 6, 86 iforcooperation with said tracl; 83. The latter is formed 87 and onto thetracks 83, thus lifting t Ward arms of the bell cranks and raising thecover plate to a corresponding extent. As the tray and plate continuetheir forward movement said rolls 85 move onto earns 88 having each arearwardly inclined portion and a flat poriion said cams being pivotedat 9% upon the forward pair of brackets or. it will be understood thatthere are two came 89, one for each track, at opposite. sides of thetray. When the rolls are resting on said horizontal portions of theearns 88 the cover plate in its position of maximum elevation.

As the tray and cover plate continue still fur ther forward, stilltoward the left in the figures, the rolls 86 ride on from their cams 88completely, their shaft 85 being then received on a flat finger or coverplate lifter 91 which at that time is held at the proper level toreceive the shaft. When said shaft is resting on said finger 91 thevertical positi n oi the cover plate relative to the tray thencontrolled by said finger, which latter mounted for verticalredprocation to permit the subsequent lowerL g of the cover plate andstill later a partial lifting of the same for a purpose to be explainedhereinaiter.

linger 91 is carried by a rod 92 slidable in a post 93 in a mannersimilar to the operating rod 65 of the filling depress-er, previouslydescribed, and is arranged for actuation from the drive shaft 26 throughthe cam es, can: roll 95 and connecting lever 96 pivoted at or to saidrod 92. A spring 98 is provided, which tends normally to hold the rodand finger 91 in depressed position.

As the tray and cover plate go forward, to the left in the figures, thecover plate is lifted away rom the tray by the track and cam means deasto hold the same when released by the grippers 13. The cover platesomewhat shorter the tray, so that in lorward position i terminatesapproximately opposite the iorwar or left hand end of the i l ing hopper7, in-

dicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 15.

While the tray and cover plate are forward, but with the cover platestill elerat a or pad pushed over onto the tray by previously described.The cover lifter ill then falls, permitting the cover plate to, dropinto contact with the tray and pad. is efiect= ed by the movement of thecam roll 95, see Fig. 11, off from the high portion of the earn 9% andonto the lo I; portion Said low portion is preferably formed to permitthe plate lifter 91 to descend slightly below the position in which thecover late comes into contact with the pad then positioned the tray, sothat the weight of the plate is taken entirely oil the lifter.Thereafter the filling or seating element or depr sser 64 comes downonto the top of the cover plate, and through the latter acts upon thepad to bring it to a certain and proper seat in the tray. Having thuseffected the full seating of the filling pad said depressor 6a isshortly the cover plate and tray said rolls 86 will ride up saidincneit;

at the forward end of I the tray entering the recess in the former 12soterial article, such as a sanitary napkin.

as at 107, at the forward end oi thereafter again raised out of contactwith the cover plate, the cam 71 controlling said mechanism being formedto effect the described movements at the times desired. The pad is thenin position to receive its containing envelope or gauze, the pad traybeing forward and sup-- porting the gauze opener 12, so that the lattermay be released by its grippers 13.

Suitable means provided to effect a relative movement of the package orpad of filling maand the gauze so as to bring the pad into the desiredposition longitudinally of and within a section of the gauze of theproper length. In the illustrated form of the invention I have providedfor this purpose a pair of easing or gauze-engaging elements, nippers orjaws which are adapted to seize the forward portion of the gauze anddraw the latter out from its supply, back over and enclosing the pad.

Said nippers herein are positioned at opposite sides of the pad tray,and each an inner jaw 161 uted to be projected -ole of the gauze, and acooperatng outer and relatively movable jaw 162 for engagement over theouter surface of the gauze. nippers mounted for movement toward and awaythe gauze supply over a path of a length, which may be adjust ble, suficient to enable them to draw out the desired length or" to constitutethe envelope or holder for each individual Herein said nippers are eachheld by a nipper bar or a 193, 103 which are slidable in parallelism wthe pad tray. Said nipper bars at their ends, at the right in the fiures, have enlarged portions 10 i, 194, see Figs. 1 and 3, providedtheir inner faces with ribs 105 siidable in guideways F6, 106 in therails 31, 31 previously re ferred to and along the top of which the padtray is movable.

The outer jaws 162 of the nipper bar and are normally held in grengagement with the inner jaws as by means of the leaf springs 108 onthe respective bars. The

hose portions of said jaws are shaped to permit them to be projectedforwardly suiilciently to seize the game while the latter is still thegrippers 13, the latter being formed for this purpose with the recesses1'2, 17 (see 5), previously referred to.

s the nippers 101, 102 approach the they are each opened at the propertime by suitable means, herein illustrated as pivoted cams or trips 109,1139 on a cross piece 110 to the platform of the machine. Said cams eachhave a rearwardly disposed face with v. ch a cam surface on each of theo nipper jaws engages as the latter come 0,, onto the is. The nipperjaws are held open enough to permit them to pass well over onto the ofthe ga ze, when they shut and upon the gauze, their rear ends out fromunder the cams 109. The relative positions of the parts underconsideration at the time the nipper jaws are about to seize upon thegauze is clearly shown upon a larger scale in Fig. 1'7.

The gauze nippers, carried by their bars are slidable independently ofthe pad tray, but preferably are travelling forward into gauzeseizingposition during movement of but slightly to the rear of the pad tray,the movements of said parts being so timed that the tray has its fullforward position, as clearly indicated in Fig. 13, before the nippersseize upon the gauze. Said nipper bars 103 receive their reciprocatingmovement from suitable mechanism, in the present instance substantiallysimilar to that already described for the pad tray. Referring to Figs. 1and 2, said means herein includes, for each nipper bar 103, a link 113pivotally connected. at 11 1 to the rear portion 104 of the respectivenipper bar. The opposite ends of said links 113 are respectivelypivotally attached to levers 115, 1l5-see particularly Fig. 2havingcollars at their lower ends whereby said levers are supported forrocking movement upon the same stud 412 with the pad tray operatinglever 41 previously described. Said levers 115, 115 are actuatedsimultaneously through connections with a cylinder cam 116 on the driveshaft similar to the cylinder cam 35, said connections including ayoke-shaped slide 11'], supported by the shelf 4. 6. The forward ends ofthe yoke arms 118, 118 are piv :ally connected with the respectivelevers '5, 115, the latter being slotted to prevent inerference with theyoke arms during movement the levers. At its rear end the cross portionof yoke slide carries a cam roll 119 cooperg with a peripheral cam path119' in said cylinder camllfi.

After the pad tray has gone forward, the pad been positioned, and thenippers have seized upon the forward edge or" the gauze, the grippers13, are released, as shown in Fig. 14, and the mechanism in readinessfor drawing the gauze rearwardly over the The tray is still 'ned in itsforward position, while the nippers new travel real-v srdly, to theright in the figures, drawing out gauze with them. The nipper 102 haveeach shoulder 112 which during the first part of the rear travel of thenippers come into contact with the forward inner faces of the earns1.09, substantially as shown in Fig. 1 1. Said cams, being pivotally andyieldably supported, are swung rearwardly and outwardly by the nipperjaws and against the tension of their springs 12c, 120, snapping backinto their normal. position as the oer jaws pass rearwar ly beyond them.It will be observed, particularly from 1 1, that the nipper jaws 102 soproportioned and pivoted at such point that their engagement with saidcams 109 during the rearward travel of the nipper bars does-not disturbthe grip of the jaws on the gauze but tend rather to tight the same.

As the nippers move rearwardly the casing or gauze is drawn out over thetray having the positioned in it, the free end of the gauze beingcarried on beyond the filling to any desired extent. To insure againstinterference between the filling package or pad and the free edge of thegauze the latter is drawn on, the pad tray may be formed with slightlyraised portions 121, see is, on its sides 50, 59 adjacent the positionedpad and extending beyond the latter at its opposite ends justsufiiciently to effect a slight further opening of the tubular gauze asit comes over the pad and during its passage by it.

The nippers continue rearwardly, to the right, into substantially theposition shown in Figs. 15 and 16, in which figures they still have holdupon the gauze, while the pad tray still remains for- The latter may nowbe withdrawn, leaving pad w.thin the drawn-out length of gauze casing.if desired, means is provided to t r lative vement the pad and gauzewhile the pad tray is bein withdrawn, and for this purpose I have showna pad-retaining mechanism comprising one or more pad piercing elementsor needles 122, 122 adapted to pass through the gauze and engage the padenclosed by it.

As best seen in Figs. 1,v 2, 9 and 10, the said needles are carried by aframe 123 secured to an arm 12% at the upper end of a rod 125 verticallyreciprocabie in a post 126 on the machine frame and actuated throughsuitable carn mechanism in a manner substantially similar to that of thepad depressor 63 previously described. Said connections, as seen in Fig.1, include a cam 12'! on the main shaft 26, cooperating cam roll 128,and connecting rod 129 pivoted at the lower end of said rod 125. Aspring 130 intermediate the post 126 and a collar on said rod 125 holdssaid rod and the pad-holding needles normally in elevated position, asin Fig. 1. Said cam 127 is shaped and timed to lower the needles intoengagement with th pad after the gauze has been drawn over it and priorto the removal of the tray. The pad depressor 6 1 has suitable openingsopposite the needles to permit their passage through it, see Figs. 2, 9and 10, While the cover plate is centraliy and longitudinally slotted atits forward end as at 131, Figs. 1c and 15, for a similar reason andalso to permit the cover plate to be withdrawn rearwardly while theneedles are still holding the pad.

Just prior to the withdrawal of the pad tray the cover plate 76 isdesirably lifted a short distance, sufilcient to take its weight offfrom the pad. is accomplished by the finger 91 through the cam roll 95,which at this time rides onto the cam portion 9 12), see Fig. 11, ofintermediate height and on which it dwells while the and cover plate arebeing withdrawn. Also by this slight raising of the cover plate therolls so are brought up onto a level with the tracks 83, 83, and beneaththe cams 89, 89. During the subsequent withdrawal of the tray and coverplate said rolls move onto said tracks and rearwardly therealong,lifting the cams 89, 89, which drop back onto the tracks as the rollspass out from under them. 1

While the filling is thus retained in proper longitudinal position thetray and cover plate are withdrawn to a position clear of the casing orgauze, as shown in Fig. 16. The nippers still retain their hold upon thegauze, so that a section thereof extends across between the gauze opener12, where it is held by the grippers 13, 13, and the rearwardlypositioned nippcrs 161, 1112, the filler or pad being positioned at theproper point within said drawn-out gauze section. The pad-holdingneedles 122 be, and preferably are, then withdrawn, through their camcontrol.

It then remains only to sever the gauze section from its supply, torelease it whereupon the complete article will drop into any suitablereceiver such as the chute 132, which may conduct it onto an endlessbelt for conveyance to the packaging point, or any other suitabledisposal of the finished article may be made. I

While in most instances the casing or gauze and contained filling willbe properly held in the described extended position by the nippers, inreadiness for cutting off, additional casing or gauze supporting meansmay be employed, if desired. In the figures I have illustrated suchmeans as consisting of a pair of opposed clamping members 134, 185, seenin detail in Fig. 8, and also earing in l and 16. Said members are to bcompacted, moving oppositely to other, so as to seize upon the gauzelatter has been drawn out to the full extent re quired. The lowerclamping member 135 is carried at the upper end of a rod 136 which isvertically movable by the earn 137 on the drive shaft and thecooperating cam roll 138 at the lower end of said rod. The upperclamping member is connected to said lower member for simultaneous butopposite movement. Such connections include a rock member 139 atopposite sides of the lower clamp 135 and having fixed pivots 140, 140on the cross piece 11o which carries the nipper-opening cams 109. ofsaid rock members has pivoted and engagement at one end with the lowerclamp as at 1 11, and a similar engagement at its opposite end, as at142, with the depending portions 1 13, 143 of the upper clamp. In thismanner verti al movement of the lower clamp will. be transmitted to theupper clamp, but in an opposite direction. The rod 136 is normally helddown by cam roll and earn 137,

against the tension of suitable spring means. 144, 144, the clamp beingthen in open position. At the proper time said cam roll rides into adepres-- sion in the cam 137, permitting the rod 136 and lower clamp 135to be lifted by said spring means, and thus bringing the clampingmembers together upon the gauze.

Any suitable severing means, preferably automatic, may be employed forcutting oil the drawn out casing or gauze, or the desired portionthereof containing the filling, from its supply. For this purpose I havefound a rotary saw or cutter to be especially adapted. Referring toFigs. 1, 5, 6 and 7, a rotary cutter or saw 1 15, desirably thin andhaving a razor edge, is mounted on the rotor of an electric motor 1&6receiving its energy from 1 any suitable source.

Said motor is slidably supported for traverse crosswise of the gauze tosever the same at the proper time, and is accordingly mounted on a track1 27 bridging the gauze and supported from the machine table as by theuprights 148, 1 18. Traversing movement is given to the motor by meansof a link 149 connected at one end to the motor and at its other endpivoted, as at 150, to the upper end of a rock lever 151 having a fixedpivot 152 at its opposite and lower end upon the machine frame or table,and swinging in a guide 151a. At a suitable intermediate point there ispivotally attached to said lever 151 a pitrnan 153 having at itsopposite end a crank connection, as at 154, with a crank disk 155 fastupon a shaft 156 rotatable in bearings at the upper end of a bracket 157secured to the machine frame. It will be understood that a singlerotation of said crank disk 155, starting from the position shown inFig. 5, will effect a traversing movement of the motor and cutter acrossthe casing or gauze, toward the right in said figure, and a return tothe position illustrated. If desired, the starting and completion of thetraverse f the cutter may eiiect automatically a closing and breakingrespectively of the electrical circuitfor the motor,

or the latter may be run continuously during operation of the machine.Preferably also the cutter and the connections for traversing same areconstructed and arranged to permit a manual traversing movement thereofby the operative, independently of the remainder of the machine, to trimthe leading edge of the gauze when setting up the machine, or at othertimes.

Said upper and smaller sprocket 159, which is loose upon the shaft 156,is adapted for operative connection with the crank disk 155 but isnormally disconnected therefrom so that the motor and cutter may remainat rest during the major portion of an operating cycle of the machine.

In order drivingly to connect said gear 159 with the crank disk, thegear is formed on its inner face with a plurality of radial clutchelements or teeth 161, Fig. 6. In axial alignment with said gear is ahub 162 fast on the shaft 156 and carrying a spring-pressed plunger 163adapted to engage with any one of said clutch elements to cause theshaft 156 and parts attached to it to rotate with the loose gear 159.The spring 164 of said plunger acts to force the latter into clutchingposition, but said plunger is normally held out of en agem nt by afinger 165 pivoted at one end, as at 166, upon a lateral projection ofthe bracket 157, and having its other end normally between the head 167of the plunger and the adjacent face of the hub 162, thus holding theplunger out of clutch engagement with the gear.

Said finger is withdrawn at the proper time to release the plunger andallow it to engage the rotating gear 159, whereby the shaft 156 andcrank disk 155 will be rotated to effect the traversing movement of thecutter. Said finger 165 is therefore pivoted near its free end, as at168, to an operating rod 169 in turn pivoted at 170, see Fig. 5, to onearm of a rocker 171 on a lug 172 supported from the machine table. Theother arm of said rocker is pivotally connected at 173' to the upper endof a link 174 actuatable in a vertical direction by a cam 175 on themain shaft cooperating with a cam roll 176 at the lower end of saidlink. The rod 169 is normally held up and its cam roll kept in contactwith the cam as by the spring 177 hearing at its opposite ends on themachine platform and against a collar on the rod.

At the free end of said finger 165 is an inclined cam 178, Fig. 7, whichlies in the path of the plunger head 167. When connection is to be madewith the clutch-carrying gear 159 to traverse the cutter, the finger 165is drawn down and then quickly released for return to its position inthe path of the plunger head, as shown in Fig. 7, the finger controllingcam 175 having for this purpose a short and steep rise portion. As thehub 162 is driven around in a counterclockwise direction, viewing Fig.7, the plunger head 167, just before a full rotation of the hub takesplace, will ride up the earn 178, thus withdrawing the plunger andunclutching the hub and crank disk 155 from the gear 159. To preventoverrunning of the hub and crank disk, a

stop 179 carried by the finger 165 is positioned in length, due toimperfection in the gauze material,

or other cause. This makes it unnecessary to stop the machine at suchtime, as any short'length of gauze will automatically be cleared fromthe path of the nippers.

Upon completion of the severing operation,-

both the auxiliary clamping members 134, 135 and the gauze nippers 101,102 are opened, so that the severed length of gauze with containedfilling is freed for discharge from the machine. The final or releasingopening of said nippers effected through a slight finalrearward-movement of the nipper bars 103, produced by an appropriateformation in the cam path 119'. By said movement the shoulders 112 ofthe nipper jaws 102 are brought sharply back against the abutments 180,180 properly positioned'for this purpose in the path of the respectivenippers. Said abutments may be formed on the uprights 84, 84: whichcarry the cover plate cams 89 preto be drawn upon, opening the mouththereof,

presenting a mass of filling material, effecting placement of thefilling in the casing by relative movement of said materialaand severinga length of casing containing the filling, or any of said steps.

My invention is not limited to theparticular embodiment thereof hereinillustrated and de scribed nor to the particular methods hereindisclosed, its scope being pointed out in the following claims.

I claim:

1. An organized machine for placing filling material in an elongated,flexible casing, comprising a reciprocable tray-like element-means forselecting a quantity of filling material from a supply and positioningthe same on said tray-like element, means to engage and drawthe'casingabout said element and positioned filling, and means toWithdraw said element while retaining the filling in the casing.

2. An organized machine for forming surgical dressings, sanitary napkinsand the like comprising, in combination, a slide movable toward and froma fabric casing supply and adapted to hold a mass of filling material,means to position said mass thereon, a casing opener, means to supportthe same within the periphery of the opened casing, reciprocablegripper-carrying elementsto seize the opened casing and draw it outabout said slide and filling material held thereby, means to retractsaid slide while retaining the filling material in the drawn-out casing,means to sever the casing in the rear of the filling material, saidgrippercarrying elements retaining their hold on the casing during thesevering operation, clamping means to hold the casing adjacent the pointof severance, and means to release said gripper and said clamping meansto discharge the severed length of easing with contained fillingmaterial.

3. An organized machine for forming surgical dressings, sanitary napkinsand the like comprising, in combination, a slide movable toward and froma fabric casing supply and adapted to hold a mass of filling material,means to position said mass thereon, a casing opener, means to sup portthe same within the periphery of the opened casing, reciprocablegripper-carrying elements to seize the opened casing and draw it outabout said slide and filling material held thereby, means to rial in thedrawn-out casing, and means to sever the casing in the rear of thefilling material.

4. An organized machine for forming surgical dressings, sanitary napkinsand the like comprising, in combination, a slide movable toward and froma fabric casing supply and adapted to hold a mass of filling material,means to position said mass thereon, a casing opener, means to supportthe same within the periphery of the opened casing, reciprocable grippercarrying elements to seize the Opened a g and draw it out about saidslide and filling material held thereby, and means to retract said slidewhile retaining the filling material in the drawn-out owing.

5. An organized machine for forming surgical dressings, sanitary napkinsand the e comprising, in combination, a support for a supply ofsubstantially tubular casing, means for supporting a supply of fillingmaterial, means to select amass of said material suitable for receptionin said casing, means to hold said selected znass, mechanism to engagesaid casing and draw it about filling mass while so held, meansthereafter to free said mass from said holding means, and means to cutoff a length of the casing containing filling mass.

6. Mechanism for placing filling material in a substantially tubularfabric envelope adapted to be supplied in indefinite length, comprising,in combination, a frame, opener over which the fabric may drawn, a recipcable tray, to advance said tray to bring 1 forward end adjacent saidopener, means to pc on filling material in said tray, a recip-rocabiefabric engaging element, means to advance the latter into engagernentwith the fabric and to retract so as to draw the fabric out over thetray and iillin ina' terlal therein, mean to retract the tray from thedrawn-out fabric but l ving the filling material therein, and to severthe fabric.

'2. Mechani r for placing filling material in substantially tubularfabric envelope comprising in combination filling-presenting m ansadapted to be received within the fabric, means to load said presentingmeans with filling, mechanism to draw out the fabric about the loadedfillin presenting means, and means to withdrav t e filling presentingmeans from the fabric.

8. Mechanism for placing absorbent filling terial in a substaniialiytubular fabric envelope, in the manufacture of sanitary napkins, saidmecl unisin comprising in combination a support for a supply ofsubstantially tubul indefinite length, and in closed COflCLlblOl'l, tobe drawn upon, means to position an absorbent ing opening means forpresenting the 1 ing end of said tubular fabric n final-opened conditionWhile avoiding lateral str'v ching there-- of, and means to move thefabric in lopened condition relatively to the pos, d ahsorbent fillingmass thereby to enclose the latter in said normally opened tubularfabric.

9. Mechanism for forming surgical dressings, sanitary napkins and thelike comprising, in coinbination, a support for a supply of stbstantialy tubular gauze of indefinite length, a magazine for absorbentfilling packages, a reciprocable tray, tray operating means advance andretract the same, means to position a filling package thereon,gauze-engaging mechanism movable in parallelism with said tray,operating means to advance said gauze-engaging mechanism into engagementwith the forward portion of the gauze to retract the same to draw thegauze about said tray and the filling package p0 fabric, of

sitoned thereon, and means to cut oil the gauzecontaining the fillingpackage.

10. l chanisrn for forming surgical sanitary napkins and the likecomprising, in cornbinai on, a support for a supply of substantiallytubgauze of indefinite length, a magazine for absorbent fillingpackages, a reciprocable tray, tray operating means to advance and re--tract the means to position a filling package gau -engaging mechanismmovable in paraliei "s to advance said gauze-engaging 1nechain tengagement with the forward portion or the gauze, and to retract the todraw the ga e said tray and the filling packmed t' erccn.

11. I." mechanism the class described, means to su a supply of fabriccasing in position to rm a casing opening element, releasable to supportsaid element by engageine t exterior-"1y therewith, filling presentingtray movable toward and from said opening element, means to draw thecasing about the said tray having a tongue at its forward end to age andsupport said opening element during the drawing out of the casing.

12. In rnechantain of the class described, means 0 s2. sort a supply offabric casing in position be crawn upon, a casing opening element, re-

means to support said element exteriorand other means to support saidelement aa'ercent t it wholly Within the periphlast mentioned means heto support a supply of fabric ca, ng in position to be drawn upon, acasing opening element, re leasable means to support element exteriorlythereof and adapted to permit passage of the between it and saidelement, and other to support 5.- d element by engagement therewithwholly Wii in the periphery of the casing.

is. In mechanism or" the class described, means to support a supply offab c casing in position to be drawn upon, a ca g opening element, andlaterally opposed ineans supporting said element exteriorly, said beingadapted to re the 1 es end of the casing against back lash orunintennonal retraction from about said element.

15. In mechanism of the class described, means to support asupply offabric casing in position to be drawn a c opening element, and separableengaging rreans the sides of said eleinont neely supporting latter inthe path of the casing.

26. In ineche to support a supply of n mechanism or" the classdescribed, co- (319692318 with and filling material sup- 1 a tray nienthaving a width adapting it reception in said casing and provided withdressings,-

0. said tray, and operating;

. means at times engageable lower said cover plate, and presser means tobring side Walls substantially the height of the filling to bepositioned in the casing, means to advance and retract said elementtoward and from the easing supply, and a cover plate movable with said"tray element but having a vertical movement relatively thereto, liftingto permit the insertion of the filling material, thereafter seating onthe inserted material to insure accurate position- "ing of the same insaid tray element.

19. In mechanism of the class described, a reciprocable tray includingbottom and side walls and adapted tojreceive a mass of filling materialto be placed in a casing, means to position the said filling material onthe tray, a cover plate on the tray, means to lift the same to permitsaid positioning of the filling material and then to lower'said coverplate, presser means to bring said material to a proper seat in thetray, and with the positioned filling material to prevent movementthereof relative to the tray.

20. In mechanism of the class described, a reciprocable tray includingbottom and side walls andadapted to re eive a of filling material to beplaced in a casing, means to position the said filling material on thetray, a cover plate on the tray, means to lift the same to permit saidpositioning of the filling material and then to said material to aproper seat in the tray.

21. In. mechanism of the class described, a reciprocable tray elementincluding bottom and side walls and adapted to receive a mass of fillingmaterial for insertion in a casing, and cover means carried by saidelement but vertically movable relatively thereto to permit theinsertion of and thereafter to cover the mass of filling material.

In mechanism of the class described, a reciprocable tray includingbottom and side walls and adapted to receive a mass of filling materialto be placed in a casing, means to position said filling material on thetray, and presser means to insure proper seating of said material uponthe tray bottom.

23. In mechanism of the class described, in combination with areciprocable filling-materialreceiving element, a hopper for a stack offilling material packages, means to select the lowerreceiving element.

24. In mechanism of the class described, in combination with areciprocable filling-materialreceiving element, a hopper or magazine forthe filling material, means to select a mass of said material at thelower portion'of said hopper or magazine and to present said selectedmass to said receiving element and means to conform said mass to thereceiving element and releasably hold it thereon.

25. In mechanism of the class described, in combination, means tosupport a supply of fabric casing in position to be drawn upon, anelongated element movable toward and from said casing supply, a nipperdevice at the forward end of said element to engage and draw out thecasing, means to hold the mouth of the casing open, and means to causesaid nipper device to engage a portion of the opened casing.

26. In mechanism of the class described, in combination, means tosupport a supply of fabric casing in position to be drawn upon, anelongated element movabletoward and from said casing supply, a nipperdevice at the forward end of said element to engage and draw out thecasing, means to hold the mouth of the casing open, means to cause saidnipper device to engage a portion of the opened casing, and meanssubsequently to release the casing.

27. In mechanism of the class described, in co nbination, m ans tosupport a supply of fabric casing in position to be drawn upon, a slideadapted to position a mass of filling material for reception the casing,reciprocable one at each side of said slide, each having means to engageand draw out the casing over said slide fillin material positionedthereon, other means to hold the casing to the rear of the onclosedfilling material, and means to sever the casing adjacent said holdingmeans.

28. In mechanism of the class described, in combination, means tosupport a supply of fabric casing in position to be drawn upon, a slideadapted to position a mass of filling material for reception in thecasing, reciprocable arms, one at each side of said slide, each havingmeans to draw out the casing over said slide and filling mate alpositioned thereon, and other means to grip the casing at the rear ofthe enclosed filling material.

29. In mechanism of the class described, in combination with a supportfor a supply of fabric casing of indefinite length and means to open andto draw out same and to position filling material therein, ineansincluding clamping mechanism. having fabric engaging and disengagingpositions operating connections th refor, to hold taut the drawn outlength of casing, and means to sever a length of casing containing thefilling material while so held taut.

so. In n' echanism of the class described, in combination with meanssupporting a fabric casing supply in position to be drawn upon, a slideadapted to position a mass of filling material for reception in thecasing, and reciprocable arms, one at each side of said slide, eachhaving means to engage and draw out the casing over said slide andfilling material positioned thereon.

31. In mechanism of the class described, in combination with meanssupporting a fabric casing supply in position to be drawn upon, a slideadapted to position a mass of filling material for reception in thecasing, reciprocable arms, one at each side of said slide, jaws on saidarms, and means to open and to close said jaws upon the casing.

32. In mechanism of the class described, in combination with meanssupporting a fabric casing supply in position to be drawn upon, a casingopener, one or more reciprocable nippers movable toward and from theopened end of the casing supply, and cam and spring means to open andclose the nippers whereby they are engaged with the inner and outerfaces of the leading edge of the opened casing.

33. In mechanism of the class described, for cooperation with a supplyof fabric casing of indefinite length adapted to be drawn on and toreceive filling material therein, means to hold taut the drawn outlength of casing, said means the free end or the casing, a pair ofoppositely movable clamping elements at the supply end of said drawn-outlength of casing, casing severing means adjacent said clamping elements,and means to release the severed length of casing from said holdingmeans.

34. In mechanism of the class described, for cooperation with a supplyof fabric casing of indefinite length adapted to be drawn on and toreceive filling material therein, means to hold taut a drawn-out lengthof casing, said means including one or more nipper devices engaging thefree end of the casing, and a pair of oppositely movable clampingelements adjacent the supply end of said drawn-out length of casing.

35. In mechanism of the class described, for cooperation with a supplyof fabric casing of indefinite length adapted to be drawn on and toreceive filling material therein, means to hold taut the drawn outlength of casing, said means including one or more nipper devicesengaging the free end of the casing, a pair of oppositely movableclamping elements at the supply end of said drawn-out length of casing,and casing severing means adjacent said clamping elements.

36. That method of forming surgical dressings, sanitary napkins, and thelike which comprises supporting a substantially tubular fabric casingsupply in closed condition and in readiness to be drawn upon,positioning the desired quantity of filling material in a manneradapting the same for reception in the casing, opening the leading endof the casing within the normal opening capacity thereof while avoidingsubstantial lateral stretching, effecting intermittently relativemovement of said normal-opened casing and filling to bring the latterwithin the casing, mechanically holding the filled casing portion inextended position for severance, and severing the portion of the casingcontaining the filling from said casing supply.

37. In mechanism of the class described, in combination, a frame, afiller presenting tray, means to position a filler thereon, a pair ofarms at opposite sides of said tray and having nippers at one end, andmeans to actuate the latter to seize and withdraw a length of casingabout the filler in said tray.

38. In mechanism of the class described, in combination, a frame, afiller presenting tray,

Y means to position a filler thereon, reciprocable casing engagingmeans, and means to actuate the latter to draw the casing over the trayand filler thereon.

39. Mechanism of the class described comprising, in combination, amagazine for pre-formed absorbent pad fillers, means to present suchfiller for reception in a tubular casing coming from a supply, meansoperable to engage said tubular casing and to move it engagingly aboutand past said presented absorbent pad filler to position the latterwithin said casing, and means to sever the casing in the rear of thepositioned filler.

40. Mechanism of the class described comprising, in combination, areciprocable filler holding element adapted for reception in a casingcoming from a supply, means to open the casing for the reception of saidelement and filler, means to engage and draw out the casing to enclose afiller positioned in said element, and means to withdraw said element,leaving the filler within the casing.

41. Mechanism of the class described comprising, in combination, areciprocable filler holding element adapted for reception in a casingcoming from a supply, means to open the casing for the reception of saidelement and filler, and means to engage and draw out the casing toenclose a filler positioned in said element.

42. Mechanism of the class described comprising, in combination, areciprocable filler holding element adapted for reception in a casingcoming from a supply, means to open the casing for the reception of saidelement and filler, means to engage and draw out the casing to enclose afiller positioned in said element, means to withdraw said elementleaving the filler within the casing, and means to cut off a length ofcasing containing said filler.

43. Mechanism of the .class described comprising, in combination, amagazine for absorbent filling material, a support for a tubular casingsupply, a filling holding device comprising bottom and upright sideportions and a relatively movable covering portion, said device adaptedto receive filling from said magazine and to present the same forreception in the casing com ing from said support, means to engage andmove the casing about said filling holding device and the fillingcontained therein, and means to withdraw the filling holding device fromthe filled casing portion.

I 4.4. Mechanism of the class described comprising, in combination, amagazine for absorbent filling material, a support for a tubular casing126 supply, tray-like means adapted to receive and enclose a mass offilling for positioning in the tubular casing material, mechanism foreffecting relative movement of the filling mass so positioned and of thetubular material to place the filling within the latter, and meanssubsequently to withdraw said tray-like means.

ERROLD B. THOMAS.

